PADDLER 60
To the sound of the bells of the Dendermonde Belfry
PADDLER 60
THE OUDE DENDER
To the sound of the bells of the Dendermonde Belfry
Originally , the Dender River flowed into the Scheldt through the centre of Dendermonde , giving it the name ‘ mouth of the Dender ’, Dendermonde in Dutch . The presence of these two rivers made Dendermonde an actual water city with its ports for centuries . Prosperity and military conflicts were the order of the day .
You will have to turn around at the old converted estuary . Return through the town centre to the old lock ( Oude Sas ) with its beautiful double wooden gate . The arrival under the iron pedestrian and cycle bridge built over the remains of the lock heralds a more flora and fauna-rich part of the river .
Because of its proximity to the two rivers , the city was prone to flooding for a long time . In 1967 , it was decided to divert the course of the Dender so that it no longer flows through the city centre before flowing into the Scheldt . A new estuary with a lock ( Nieuwe Tijsluis ) was created in 1978 , and the name Oude Dender was coined for the old course . The old estuary was concreted over .
This SUP spot combines a cultural and historical part on the right side , while the left is greener . Let ’ s start with the city centre , its monuments and bridges . It is ‘ funny ’ to think that captains , fishermen and ship unloaders used to work here in the past ! In the distance , you will see the two red brick bell towers of the Abbey of Saint Peter and Paul . The passage in front of the Town Hall , its Belfry and the Court of First Instance will delight architecture lovers . You will be escorted in your sporting effort by the singing of the Belfry ’ s carillon . What a chance to be lulled by this beautiful melody . The forty-nine bells weigh 6800 kg and have been ringing every 15 minutes for 600 years !
ENTERING THE WATER :
51 ° 01 ' 44.3 " N 4 ° 05 ' 43.2 " E Wooden pontoon . There are three large wooden pontoons where you can launch into the water and discover this half-natural , half-cultural waterway . Google map : https :// goo . gl / maps / n53r7EbsNmyVMuzd8